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For purposes of this report, sensitive species are: species listed or proposed for listing as rare, threatened, endangered or candidate by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and species listed of proposed for listing as rare or endangered by the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). Prior to initiating the field study the CDFG California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB) records for the vicinity were obtained to determine if any rare, threatened or endangered plant species are known to occur on or in the vicinity of the project site. Information from CNDDB on known occurrences of sensitive plant species within four USGS quadrangles in the vicinity of the site (Linden, Valley Springs SW, Peters, and Farmington) was reviewed. Three sensitive plant species with special status were identified as potentially occurring on the project site. These species are delta button celery (Eryngium racemosum), Greene's tuctoria (Tuctoria greenei), and Ahart's dwarf rush (uncus leiospermits var. ahartii). A brief discussion of each of these species follows. Delta button celery is a state listed endangered species as well as a candidate (category 2) for federal listing. Candidate (category 2) status is given to species for which the USFWS is considering listing but the data on the biological vulnerability and threat to the species is incomplete. This species grows in seasonally inundated areas below 100' in elevation. Surveys for this species may be necessary to meet CDFG requirements and should be conducted during the blooming period (August-October). Greene's tuctoria, a vernal pool species is state listed rare and is a candidate (category 1) for federal listing. Candidate (category 1) status is given to species for which the USFWS has substantial information on file regarding the biological vulnerability of the species in order to support a proposal to give the taxa protection. This annual grass species grows in the bottom of dried out vernal pools, between 1.00 and 400 feet above sea level, and blooms between May and June. Surveys for this species are recommended within the vernal pool habitat on the site. Ahart's dwarf rush is a candidate (category 1) for federal listing and also grows in seasonally wet areas. Habitat for this species is restricted to the edges of vernal pools at approximately 150' in elevation. This diminutive plant blooms in April and surveys are recommended. Wildlife Habitat Relationships Wildlife habitat on the project site includes annual grassland, freshwater emergent marsh, open water, and valley foothill riparian scrub, and two intermittent stream channels, one of which supports the narrow riparian woodland. A list of all wildlife species observed or expected to occur on the project site is provided in Appendix B. Wildlife species present on the site are characterized by those species adapted to valley grassland and wetland plant communities. Reptiles present within the grassland community likely include western fence lizard (Sceloponis occidentalis), southern alligator lizard (Gerrhonotus multicarinatus), and gopher snake (Pituophis melanoleucus). Songbirds such as Brewer's blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus), white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys), western meadowlark (Stumella neglecta), horned lark (Eremophila CONDOR